Bodyworn tissue dispenser and methods of use and manufacture thereof

ABSTRACT

A tissue dispenser, wherein a plurality of facial tissues may be refillably stored therewithin and sequentially delivered therefrom, and wherein the structural configuration of the device facilitates handsfree carriage for continuous access thereto.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to tissue dispensers, and more particularly, to a bodyworn tissue dispenser and methods of use and manufacture thereof, wherein a soft-structured, refillable, elasticized ring facilitates hands-free transport and convenient delivery of facial tissues.

BACKGROUND

Facial tissues are well-recognized as staple consumables, useful in a myriad of applications. For individuals with allergies, colds, watery eyes, or the like, facial tissues become essentially indispensable. For parents, too, soft facial tissues take on a special importance in assisting with runny noses and wiping messy mouths, tender cheeks, and dirty fingers. Thus, the frequency of need for facial tissues has resulted in a plurality of packages intended for a variety of environments.

For example, tissues for home use are regularly provided in elongate rectangular boxes, square boxes, and even oval boxes, each fashioned from inexpensive cardboard and printed to appeal to a consumer with a particular decor style preference. Smaller boxes, similarly constructed, are commonly distributed to each patient bed in essentially every hospital. Schools, offices, churches, funeral homes, and businesses of many types make facial tissues readily accessible to visitors, openly displaying boxes of a variety of shapes and styles in easily observed locations.

In each instance, the delivery box is stocked during manufacture with a plurality of facial tissues stacked in an interleaved arrangement therewithin, wherein the uppermost tissue in the stack may be accessed through an opening, and wherein upon pulling, the uppermost tissue is released to the user through the opening and the next single tissue in the stack is presented, partially extended through the opening, for subsequent removal, and so on. Public restrooms sometimes require and utilize high-volume dispensers, permanently installed and refillable with bulk stacked, interleaved tissues; however, most other dispensers are generally disposable, or are configured to receive a disposable box and to dispense the tissues from therewithin. For example, hotel powder rooms are commonly adapted with built-in receptacles for facial tissue boxes, wherein decor is not impacted by the box itself, and wherein quick and easy replacement of the box allows for easy maintenance and refill of the delivery system. Similar built-in receptacles, albeit of a smaller dimension, are typically found in airplane lavatories. And, home decorator style tissue box covers are routinely employed to receive printed cardboard boxes and thereby allow for more variety of dispenser style.

Thus, the need and desire for provision of facial tissues in a variety of environments is well-established. In fact, miniature travel-size packages have been developed in order to facilitate transport of tissues by an individual user for personal use. In such packages, a relatively small number of tissues, such as twenty, is typically provided, again in interleaved, single-access manner, within a plastic film “box-shaped” outercovering, with tissue delivery accomplished in essentially the same manner as from a traditional cardboard tissue box. These packages, while generally more conveniently transported than a cardboard box, remain disadvantageously cumbersome and prohibitively sized for many applications. In such instances, individual users may attempt to overcome these disadvantages by removing two or three tissues from a dispenser and folding and retaining these within a pocket or small purse. Unfortunately, however, unless the tissues are utilized within a short time period, the inherent nature of their construction typically results in tearing and degradation; and, perhaps even more disadvantageous, such manner of transport renders the tissues open to contamination from other pocket or purse contents.

Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for a refillable receptacle for transport and sequential delivery of clean tissues to a user, thereby avoiding the above-discussed disadvantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present device overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a tissue dispenser, wherein a plurality of facial tissues may be refillably stored therewithin and sequentially delivered therefrom, and wherein the structural configuration of the device facilitates handsfree carriage for continuous access thereto.

According to its major aspects and broadly stated, in its preferred form, the present device is the combination of a soft-structured, elasticized ring with a hollow interior adapted to store facial tissues and an exterior surface adapted to sequentially deliver single facial tissues, and a facial tissue refill package adapted for installation within the ring and for sequential removal of facial tissues therefrom.

More specifically, the device of the present disclosure in its preferred form is a bodyworn tissue dispenser in the form of a tubular component formed from cloth, with an elasticized member to impart resilience, and with facial tissues removably held within the tubular device and accessible via a dispensing port. In common terms, the tubular component may be presently referenced according to the generic term, hair scrunchie, although such term is not intending to be limiting, but simply exemplary of a commonly known object with some similarities of configuration.

In order to allow for ease of refill, it is intended that the interior of the scrunchie be accessible, such as via VELCRO, snaps, zipper, pressure seal, or the like, and that the tissues may be held within a disposable plastic tube for simplicity of marketing and for refill insertion, wherein the system of refill may involve removal of the tissues from the plastic tube for insertion into the scrunchie, or the tissues may remain within the plastic tube, even within the scrunchie. That is, the tissues may be packaged within the interior of the scrunchie in any appropriate manner to allow for ease of removal and subsequent presentment of another tissue, such as, for example, interleaved, as a rolled stack, or as a perforated continuous roll, as will be representatively discussed further herewithin.

The dispensing port may be a grommet, a simple formed “slitlike” opening, or the like, wherein the scrunchie component is preferably formed from cloth, with an elasticized component to facilitate wrist wear, but may also be formed from plastic, leather, waterproof materials, disposable cloth-like material, or any other suitable material, wherein the elasticized nature may be inherent in the material, rather than be formed as a separate component. Additionally, it is envisioned that an alternate embodiment may comprise a body worn wet wipe dispenser, wherein the access port would likely be generally resealable, and wherein the scrunchie interior would be adaptively waterproof. Further, it is envisioned that another alternate embodiment may be formed without the scrunchie, wherein enclosure and access through within an exterior clothing pocket, such as on a sleeve, may be facilitated.

A feature and advantage of the present device is therefore the ability of such a device to facilitate hands-free transport and convenient delivery of facial tissues.

Another feature and advantage of the present device is its ability to render tissues constantly available to a bed-confined user, without necessity of box access.

A further feature and advantage of the present device is its ability to be economically refillable.

Another further feature and advantage of the present device is its ability to facilitate non-cumbersome transport of tissues by a n individual user for personal use.

Still another feature and advantage of the present device is its ability to protect tissues from tearing and degradation during storage and transport.

Still a further feature and advantage of the present device is its ability to protect tissues from contamination during storage and transport.

Yet still another feature and advantage of the present device is its ability to serve as a refillable receptacle for transport and sequential delivery of clean tissues to a user.

Still yet another feature and advantage of the present device is its provision of a system of facial tissue refills.

Still another feature and advantage of the present device is its ability to be comfortably worn on the wrist of a user, and/or easily retained about a selected structure, such as a knob, bed post, or the like.

Another still further feature and advantage of the present device is its ability to be adapted for storage and delivery of fluid-impregnated cloths, such as, for example, wet wipes, towelettes, cleaning wipes, and disinfectant cloths.

These and other features and advantages of the device will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Alternate Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bodyworn tissue dispenser, according to the preferred embodiment, showing a grommet-style dispensing port;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bodyworn tissue dispenser, according to an alternate embodiment, showing a slit-style dispensing port;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a bodyworn tissue dispenser, according to the preferred embodiment, showing a refill accessway;

FIG. 4 is an environmental perspective of the bodyworn tissue dispenser of FIG. 1, showing the dispenser worn on the wrist of a user;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tissue refill for the bodyworn tissue dispenser, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a rolled dispensing configuration;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tissue refill for the bodyworn tissue dispenser, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, showing an interleaved dispensing configuration; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a bodyworn tissue dispenser, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

In describing the preferred and alternate embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in the figures and/or described herein, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3-5 and 7, the present disclosure is directed, in the preferred embodiment, to bodyworn tissue dispenser 10, and methods related thereto, wherein bodyworn tissue dispenser 10 generally comprises scrunchie 12 and tissue refill 60. According to its preferred form, scrunchie 12 is defined by continuously circular tube 14, such that a doughnut- or ring-shape is realized, and with generally hollow interior 16. It should be readily understood by one skilled in the art that while continuously circular tube 14 is preferred, scrunchie 12 may be formed from discontinuous parts attached together, such as, for example, a plurality of generally C-shaped members, a plurality of generally O-shaped members, or any other desirable and suitable combination of parts with one ore more seams 22, such as is seen in FIG. 2, and as may be selected to define scrunchie 12, according to the performance specifications described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 7, scrunchie 12 is preferably formed from cloth, wherein one or more elasticized component 18 is preferably concentrically defined therewithin in order to impart ring interior 20 with expansive resilience to facilitate wrist wear of bodyworn tissue dispenser 10, as representatively shown in FIG. 4. It should be noted that, although cloth is preferred for its washability and ready adaptation to a plurality of color schemes and designs, other washable and/or nonwashable materials may be utilized to form scrunchie 12, such as, for exemplary purposes only, plastic, leather, hemp, bamboo, woven and non-woven synthetics, or the like, essentially without limitation. Furthermore, rather than being limited to a refillable and reusable housing, scrunchie 12 could also be formed, without departing from the intended scope of the present device, as a single use disposable device, wherein scrunchie 12 could be formed from suitable disposable materials, such as cloth-style paper presently utilized in manufacture of disposable surgical garb, or the like. Such an alternate embodiment will be further discussed hereinbelow.

With respect to the one or more elasticized component 18 defined proximate ring interior 20, it should also be noted that other manner of imparting resilience to bodyworn tissue dispenser 10 may be utilized, such as, for exemplary purposes only and expressly without limitation, interwoven elastic thread, a resilient panel insert, and/or construction of scrunchie 12 from a material with inherent elasticity. The preferred resilience of scrunchie 12 facilitates hands-free wear of bodyworn tissue dispenser 10, such as about the wrist, for ease of convenient transport and access during activities wherein tissue use is known to be generally frequent, such as during snow skiing and snow boarding, during bouts of illness and/or common colds, during hospital stays especially when bedridden, while walking, traveling or caring from small children, or at any other time when convenient tissue accessibility is desirable. Specifically with respect to hospital patient use, as noted above, and for example, present protocols typically distribute a small cardboard box of tissues to each patent, wherein such a box must either be retained on a side table next to the bed or on the bed itself, thereby typically necessitating the patient to turn and reach, or to searchingly reach around on the bed itself, wherein such boxes frequently slip down beside the mattress and in between the safety frame, rendering the tissues generally inaccessible to the patient. Bodyworn tissue dispenser 10, however, eliminates the need for potentially painful and/or physically damaging turning and/or reaching movement, wherein the tissues 62 remain attached to the patient at all times. However, while carriage is beneficially intended proximate the body, handsfree carriage proximate another object, such as on a stroller arm, a bed rail or post, a backpack strap or handle, an umbrella, a purse, belt, or any other desirable and convenient object may be alternately selected.

Tissues 62, preferably packaged within tissue refill 60, are preferably removably held within tubular bodyworn dispenser 10 and are preferably accessible via port 40. In the preferred embodiment, port 40 is defined by grommet 42, such as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 4. Dispensing port 40 may also be defined as slit 44, such as depicted in FIG. 2, or waterproof valve 46, such as depicted in FIG. 3, or any other suitably defined means for facilitating sequential presentment of tissues 62 from generally hollow interior 16 to the user.

Scrunchie 12 is preferably adapted with accessway 50, wherein according to the preferred embodiment, accessway 50 is defined about a portion of the outer circumference of circular tube 14 to receive tissue refill 60 therethrough. Referring now to FIG. 3, accessway 50 is preferably adapted with closure mechanism 52, such as, for exemplary purposes only, VELCRO, snaps, zipper, pressure seal, or the like. It should be recognized that any suitable type of accessway 50 could be utilized, such as a full circumference design that essentially would enable bodyworn tissue dispenser 10 to be fully opened to define a “figure 8” shape. Another exemplary accessway 50 is shown in FIG. 1, wherein accessway 50 may be defined as a small overlap opening 54 proximate port 40, and wherein overlap opening 54 is formed in a fashion similar to the traditional pillow accessway of a pillow sham. Thus, it should be appreciated that in order to facilitate the preferred reusability of bodyworn tissue dispenser 10, it is necessary that tissue refill 60 be able to be replaced therewithin, and that any suitable accessway 50 that is capable of accomplishing such a task could be utilized.

Also to facilitate sequential presentment of tissues 62 from generally hollow interior 16 to the user, as well as ease of refill of bodyworn tissue dispenser 10, tissues 62 are preferably pre-packaged for insertion into generally hollow interior 16. Such pre-package may come as an insertable stack of interleaved tissues 62, for example, may come as a rolled stack, for example, may come as a perforated continuous roll, or may come in any suitable pre-package arrangement that would facilitate refill and sequential presentment of tissues 62. Moreover, in order to even further facilitate ease of refill, as well as maintenance of sterility of tissues 62, the prepackaged tissues 62 may be held within plastic tube 64, wherein plastic tube 64 is preferably thin-film, disposable material, such as commonly utilized for packaging individual presentment of disposable forks and the like. The use of plastic tube 64 for prepacking of tissue refill 60 enables simplicity of marketing and packaging of refills for bodyworn tissue dispenser 10, enhances ease of insertion of refill tissues 62, and beneficially maintains all tissues 62 in a clean and uncompromised state until use.

It should be noted, however, that the system of refill may alternately involve removal of tissues 62 from plastic tube 64 for insertion into bodyworn tissue dispenser device 10, or tissues 62 may remain within plastic tube 64 within generally hollow interior 16 of bodyworn tissue dispenser 10.

In an alternate embodiment, body worn wet wipe dispenser 110 could be provided, such as shown in FIG. 3, wherein accessway 50 would be generally resealable, wherein port 44 would essentially defined as a one way valve, and wherein generally hollow interior 16 would be adapted for waterproof characteristics, such as with a liner.

In a further alternate embodiment, as noted hereinabove, scrunchie 12 could also be formed, without departing from the intended scope of the present device, as a single use disposable device, wherein, for example, continuously circular tube 14 could be formed from suitable disposable materials, such as paper, plastic, or the like, wherein accessway 50 would not be necessary and tissues 62 could be provided cloth-style paper presently utilized in manufacture of disposable surgical garb, or the like. Such an alternate embodiment will be further discussed hereinbelow.

In still a further embodiment, bodyworn tissue dispenser 10 could be formed from a generally flat, hollow member having attachable ends to selectively define scrunchie 12, rather than scrunchie 12 being solely defined in a circular fashion.

In a further embodiment, bodyworn tissue dispenser 10 could be formed to fit within a pocket defined in an article of clothing, wherein the pocket, rather than scrunchie 12, could comprise accessway 50 and could hold refill tissues 62 therewithin. For example, a reclosable pocket could be defined on a jacket sleeve, wherein the pocket could be shaped to hold refill tissues 62 and could include accessway 50, thereby allowing a user to carry tissues within the sleeve and have easy access thereto.

Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims. 

1. A tissue dispenser, comprising: a soft-structured ring with some resilient characteristics and a port; and a plurality of tissues, wherein said soft-structured ring is adapted to contain said plurality of tissues therewithin such that sequential presentment of said plurality of tissues is facilitated through said port.
 2. The tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein said soft-structured ring further comprises an accessway for refilling said plurality of tissues.
 3. The tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein said resilient characteristics further comprise an elasticized component adapted to facilitate bodyworn carriage of said tissue dispenser about the wrist of a user.
 4. The tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein said plurality of tissues further comprises a refill package adapted for installation into said soft-structured ring.
 5. The tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein said soft-structured ring is a continuous tubular component.
 6. The tissue dispenser of claim 2, wherein said accessway is adapted for selectable closure, and wherein said means for selectable closure is selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fastener, snaps, zipper, or pressure seal.
 7. The tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein said plurality of tissues are arranged for sequential presentment according to a arrangement selected from the group consisting of interleaved, rolled stack, or perforated continuous roll.
 8. The tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein said port is a grommet.
 9. The tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein said port is selected from the group consisting of a slitlike opening or a waterproof valve.
 10. The tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein said port is resealable.
 11. The tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein said soft-structured ring is formed from a material selected from cloth, plastic, leather, hemp, bamboo, woven and non-woven synthetics, waterproof material, disposable cloth-like material, or combination thereof.
 12. The tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein said soft-structured ring further comprises a waterproof interior, wherein said port is resealable, and wherein said tissues are selected from the group consisting of fluid impregnated wipes, wet wipes, towelettes, cleaning wipes, and disinfectant cloths.
 13. The tissue dispenser of claim 4, wherein said refill package further comprises a plastic outercovering.
 14. The tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein said soft-sculptured ring is formed from a plurality of components attached together.
 15. The tissue dispenser of claim 1, wherein said resilient characteristics are selected from the group consisting of interwoven elastic thread, a resilient panel insert, construction of said soft-sculptured ring from a material with inherent elasticity, one or more elasticized bands, or a combination thereof.
 16. A portable thin-sheet dispenser adapted for bodywear, comprising: a hollow member adapted to be secured in a circular formation; and a plurality of thin-sheet members stored within said hollow member, wherein said hollow member is adapted with a means for sequential access to said plurality of thin-sheet members from an exterior of said hollow member.
 17. A method of tissue provision, comprising the steps of: obtaining a scrunchie with a plurality of tissues held therewithin, wherein said scrunchie further comprises a dispensing port with a first tissue of said plurality of tissues accessible therethrough; removing said first tissue from said dispensing port; and allowing a second tissue to be accessible through said dispensing port.
 18. The method of tissue provision of claim 17, wherein said scrunchie further comprises a refill accessway, wherein said plurality of tissues further comprise a refill package, and further comprising the steps of: removing a last tissue from said dispensing port; obtaining a refill package of said plurality of tissues; inserting said refill package of said plurality of tissues into said scrunchie through said refill accessway; and removing said first tissue from said dispensing port.
 19. The method of tissue provision of claim 18, wherein said refill package is held within a thin film outercovering, and further comprising the steps of: removing said thin film outercovering from said refill package prior to insertion of said plurality of tissues into said scrunchie.
 20. The method of tissue provision of claim 17, wherein said refill package is held within a thin film outercovering, and further comprising the steps of: opening said thin film outercovering of said refill package prior to insertion of said plurality of tissues into said scrunchie; and inserting said refill package held within said open thin film outercovering into said scrunchie. 